Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-05
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.
Virginia Democrats Assemble in COuven.
ton. EulOgize the Administration and
Condemn Civil Service RefOrm-The
Platform.
RoANoKE, Va !. Aug.

ROANOKE, Va Aug. 4.
The democratic State convention assem-
bled this noon. Hon. John Goode of Nor
folk. was elected permanent chairman He
addressed the convention declaring in favor
of Riddleberger as final settlement of the
State bill He endorsed Cleveland, amid
great applause, and paid warm tribute to
the Pennsylvania troops at Gettysburg. He
also eulogized the administration and con-
demned the civil service reform. The plat
form contains the following:
The wise, conservative, fearless and honest
administration of Grover Cleveland as Presi-
dent of the United States, deserves and will
receive the cordial support of the democracy
of Virginia.
We demand the immediate repeal of the
internal revenue system as relic of the war,
no longer necessary to meet the demands of
the government because it is oppressive fos-
ters monopolies, and obnoxious to the inter-
ests of the people.
We favor raising revenue for the support
of the federal government by tariff on i'm
ports limited to the necessities of the gov
ernment economically administered; also
adjusted in application as to prevent unequal
burdens, encourage productive interests at
home, the development of material and re-
sources and afford just compensation to labor
but not to foster monopolies.
We approve the action of the last general
assembly, at the extra session in 1887, in
refusing to accept the terms proposed by the
bondholders in connection with the settlement
of the public debt. The democratic party
will never support or sanction any adjust
ment which shall impose larger liability
upon this commonw ealth than that recognized
and provided for by the Riddleberger bill,
and we Dledpe the marty TO enact all laws
necessary to render such settlement effective,
final and decisive.
The democratic party pledges itself to urge
upon Congress justice of its pre-recognition
of Virginia's equitable demands for compen-
sation for her past munifcent concessions to
territory of the Federal Government and also
for loss to Virginia for dismemberment of
territory and consequent reduction of taxable
valuables in order found justly due to Vir-
ginia from this source and may be available
to aid in relieving the taxpayers from the
burdens of the present financial difficulties
We reassert the determination of the party
to literally provide for our disabled lsoldiers,
and declare in the future the State should
provide for INDECENT widows of soldiers who
fell on the field of battle or died from the
effects Of wounds.
The democratic party has founded and or
ganzed the public school system of Virginia
and has assisted IN everv measure which has
been passed to secure efficiency. We pledge
the party to continue the support until every
child in the commonwealth of whatever race
or color may secure the benefits of free eIu-
cation. We earnestly advocate a liberal ap-
preparation by the federal government in aid
of education, in accordance with the provis-
ions of the Blair bill or some better measure.